Sources: Messi to leave PSG at end of season

Lionel Messi will leave Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season when his contract expires, sources have told ESPN.

Last month, ESPN reported that Messi was unlikely to sign a new contract with the club and sources have now said that both parties have agreed not to extend his stay at the French champions.

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According to the sources, the Argentina international has been suspended by PSG for two weeks for missing training on Monday to travel to Saudi Arabia.

After PSG’s poor 3-1 defeat to Lorient — their third loss in their past four league games — Messi flew to Saudi Arabia without asking again for permission, sources told ESPN, meaning he could not attend training on Monday.

The incident further complicated the relationship between the player and the club. Sources told ESPN the situation created tensions within the dressing room, with some players unhappy with the incident.

Sources added that an agreement in principle was found before the World Cup between PSG and Messi for him to sign a new deal in Paris but the situation has changed since then.

Messi has failed to replicate his excellent World Cup form with PSG and the club doubts whether Messi can still deliver in big Champions League matches.

Sources have told ESPN that there is an offer from Saudi Arabia for the 35-year-old and Messi is aware of interest from former club Barcelona and Major League Soccer club Inter Miami.

Barcelona are looking into the possibility of re-signing Messi, although LaLiga president Javier Tebas warned that the league won’t change its financial fair play rules to allow him to return.